Behind the Scenes of Self-Publishing
Hello lovelies! Olivia is back (for this week at least, who knows what will happen next week).
Anyways, I received a comment from Katie Grace, asking for a sneak peak into the world of self publishing. So, without further ado...
Self-publising isn't easy as you all may have guessed. But, it is easier than traditional publishing in a few aspects. For one, you don't have to deal with picky agents and publishing companies that don't want to take chances on new authors.
But as I said, It's not easy. You now are in charge of everything. And for a phone-anxiety-plagued-introvert like me, it's not always fun. I have to sit in calls for an hour or more, chatting with my cover designer and interior layout designer. The plus is they're great, so I don't have to stress too much. But I'm the one that has to come up with a title, write a black cover blurb, write an author bio... all this is so new to me, but I'm getting the hang of it.
Being the cheap person I am, I don't hire actual editors. Being the actor I am, I get in the mindset of an editor and chop out what I need to. I shed tears doing so, but I'm able to do it.
However, a plus to self-publishing is that you get to decide what goes in your book. Even if you hire an editor, you can add in stuff that you feel is needed or whatever. I originally cut an entire chapter because someone told me to, but I had a reason for it being in there. So, going through for the tenth time, I reached the area where I had cut a chapter. It felt like something was missing. So, I added it back in. I edited the crap out of it, but I added it back in. And the editor part of me was like "No, that's a useless chapter you don't need it" but the writer part of me was like "SHUT UP I PUT IT IN THERE BECAUSE IT SHOWS HOW MUCH THIS SCHOOL HAS CHANGED HARPER ALREADY AND HOW SHE FINALLY HAS A REAL FAMILY AND THAT IS IMPORTANT TO HER AND TO THE STORY B/C THE MISSION KINDA RIPS IT APART SO IT'S THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM I HAVE A REASON SO IT'S STAYING." So yeah. I added a chapter back in (it's chapter 7 if you're wondering). Also, it was just so cute and it showed the domestic life she's always wanted before she gets her soul ripped out.
Being a self-published author is really fun, though. I get to have boxes of my book--MY BOOK--in my room. I'm gonna have a box in the trunk of my car so I can sell them at school/work/church etc. And since I'm also an artist, I have the plan to make stickers for the book that a few of my friends will get (I'm planning on doing a RaffleCopter giveaway for a signed copy of my book, a pack of hand-made stickers, a letter from me, and a pillow with a design of your choice--I have three designs, you chose the one you want).
I'm using CreateSpace to publish. It's so easy and they offer a variety of services for your manuscript (such as cover design and interior layout).
#notsponsoredjustafan
So yeah! That's about all I have to say for now!
~Olivia Ann
Anyways, I received a comment from Katie Grace, asking for a sneak peak into the world of self publishing. So, without further ado...
Self-publising isn't easy as you all may have guessed. But, it is easier than traditional publishing in a few aspects. For one, you don't have to deal with picky agents and publishing companies that don't want to take chances on new authors.
But as I said, It's not easy. You now are in charge of everything. And for a phone-anxiety-plagued-introvert like me, it's not always fun. I have to sit in calls for an hour or more, chatting with my cover designer and interior layout designer. The plus is they're great, so I don't have to stress too much. But I'm the one that has to come up with a title, write a black cover blurb, write an author bio... all this is so new to me, but I'm getting the hang of it.
Being the cheap person I am, I don't hire actual editors. Being the actor I am, I get in the mindset of an editor and chop out what I need to. I shed tears doing so, but I'm able to do it.
However, a plus to self-publishing is that you get to decide what goes in your book. Even if you hire an editor, you can add in stuff that you feel is needed or whatever. I originally cut an entire chapter because someone told me to, but I had a reason for it being in there. So, going through for the tenth time, I reached the area where I had cut a chapter. It felt like something was missing. So, I added it back in. I edited the crap out of it, but I added it back in. And the editor part of me was like "No, that's a useless chapter you don't need it" but the writer part of me was like "SHUT UP I PUT IT IN THERE BECAUSE IT SHOWS HOW MUCH THIS SCHOOL HAS CHANGED HARPER ALREADY AND HOW SHE FINALLY HAS A REAL FAMILY AND THAT IS IMPORTANT TO HER AND TO THE STORY B/C THE MISSION KINDA RIPS IT APART SO IT'S THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM I HAVE A REASON SO IT'S STAYING." So yeah. I added a chapter back in (it's chapter 7 if you're wondering). Also, it was just so cute and it showed the domestic life she's always wanted before she gets her soul ripped out.
Being a self-published author is really fun, though. I get to have boxes of my book--MY BOOK--in my room. I'm gonna have a box in the trunk of my car so I can sell them at school/work/church etc. And since I'm also an artist, I have the plan to make stickers for the book that a few of my friends will get (I'm planning on doing a RaffleCopter giveaway for a signed copy of my book, a pack of hand-made stickers, a letter from me, and a pillow with a design of your choice--I have three designs, you chose the one you want).
I'm using CreateSpace to publish. It's so easy and they offer a variety of services for your manuscript (such as cover design and interior layout).
#notsponsoredjustafan
So yeah! That's about all I have to say for now!
~Olivia Ann
Eeek, this was so interesting! I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THIS THING COMES OUT. I'm especially excited about cover design, because covers are my favorite thing ever. xD Do you know when the cover will be done?
ReplyDelete(and kind of unrelated to this post, but will you be going to the MYWW again this year? I WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN AND GIVE YOU A HUG AND GET A COPY SIGNED IF IT'S OUT BY THEN)
Ah I'm so excited for you to read it! As for cover design, I'm not completely sure because I'm still working with my cover designer on it, but it should be done in about three or so weeks!
DeleteAs for MYWW, yep! I'll be there! It will for sure be out by then, and I would love to sign it! I can't wait to see you again!